MULTAN, May 30th: Federal Minister for Tourism Maulana Ata-ur-rehman has said that new National Tourism Policy would soon be introduced and a policy draft was recently sent to the provincial tourism departments and other stakeholders in Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan for feedback Talking to newsmen he said that the proposed new National Tourism Policy promises major steps for promotion of tourism in Kaghan Valley, the militancy-ravaged Swat Valley, the much neglected virgin coastal belt stretching along the Coastal Highway in Sindh and Balochistan, and the pristine yet inaccessible Palas Valley in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohistan district.He said Federal Ministry of Tourism has planned upgradation of tourism facilities at Kaghan Valley’s Lake Saiful Muluk, Lake Lulusar, Meadows Lalazar and Sari Paya, and provision of modern boating facilities at Lake Lulusar on a priority basis.Likewise, construction of proper approach roads to at least three other lakes and six other meadows; creation of trekking trails at Ansoo Lake, Hansgali, Kachgali, Musa Ka Musala, Paya and Makra; installation of chairlifts and cable cars at two places; provision of better skiing facilities, medical services, telecommunication links and public transport; generation of hydel power, and encouragement of trout fishing through improved breeding and regulation are also intended for Kaghan Valley, which is regarded as Switzerland of Pakistan for being rich in lakes and meadows.


In the valley, the ministry also wants preservation of natural assets through proper land use planning and creation of tourism development zones at suitable locations; elimination of existing bareness and gloom prevailing between Balakot and Lulusar/Gittidas through a large-scale reforestation project; development of proper sewerage and waste-management systems for all main towns and settlements, and provision of grants and soft loans to people, especially locals, for start of river rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, jeep safaris, and paragliding enterprises.Maulana Ata-ur-rehman said that use of electronic and print media for marketing Kaghan Valley’s tourist attractions in the country’s major large cities through write-ups, advertisements and documentaries have also been planned. Besides, the ministry will also ensure proper coordination between Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC), Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) and tour operators for up-grading their services and promoting Kaghan Valley as a nature and adventure tourism destination in domestic and international markets.He further said that establishment of mobile tourism and hotel management institutes in Naran and Balakot for conducting hotel industry-related short courses for tourist, trekking/fishing and nature guides, and jeep drivers is also part of the Tourism Ministry’s strategy to promote tourism in Kaghan Valley

To make up for the losses by the 2005 devastating earthquake and encourage new investment in Kaghan, pronouncement of a complete tax holiday for trades of all kinds at least for five years is possible. Also, the ministry will persuade banks for provision of soft loans to locals and outsiders for renovation and upgradation of existing hotels and tourist facilities, and construction of new ones in the valley. For the tourists’ fool-proof security, an institutional framework will be put in place to maintain law and order, and handle emergencies.

As for promotion of tourism in Swat, among the things to be done immediately as suggested by the Tourism Ministry are provision of compensation to the hotel industry for the losses it suffered by militancy and military crackdown on it between 2007 and 2009; supply of interest-free loans for upgradation of hotels; repair, widening and metalling of damaged roads; construction of roads to tourist attractions; establishment of a wild life park; development of modern park in Mingora; creation of picnic points at various locations; grant of the industry’s status to hotels, and construction of walking treks.

For the picturesque valley, the ministry also recommends early restoration of air service; installation of chairlift and cable cars; publicity and promotion of cultural sites, and establishment of a tourist information centre in Mingora

In view of Gaddani beach on Arabian Sea, Kund Malir National Park on Makran Coast, historical seaward town of Omara, the un-spoilt and pristine beaches of Pasni, Jiwani Bay and not the least port city of Gwadar, the Tourism Ministry considers Coastal Highway a great potential for development of coastal and beach tourism

To fully tap the potential of the area, it has a three-pronged development strategy — luring international investors and beach developers through a transparent and attractive investment policy; developing basic infrastructure and ensuring provision of utilities to visitors, and implementing a well-coordinated tourism development plan by the federal and provincial tourism organisations.In the policy, the ministry talks about developing Palas Valley on Karakurum Highway into tourist point with almost undisturbed West Himalayan temperate forest, Western Tragopan, rare/threatened mammals, plant endemism and diversity and pheasants as attractions for visitors, especially foreigners. The main tourist places in the valley are Sherakot, which has thick and lush green forest, and pleasant weather in summer and snowfall in winter; Barsheryal surrounded by thick and lush green forest, and beautiful waterfalls and springs, and lush green area of Moro Mali. The ministry plans construction of tourist resorts there.